China and SCO Forge Stronger Ties Through AI Cooperation for Shared Growth and Innovation

China-SCO AI Cooperation Forum: Driving Practical AI Collaboration

Recently held in Tianjin, north China, the China-SCO AI Cooperation Forum focused on the theme "Intelligence Converges in China, Wisdom Benefits SCO." The event brought together China and SCO member states to boost collaboration in AI technology research, talent cultivation, and industrial applications.

The forum emphasized joint efforts to address key AI technological challenges, speed up AI industrialization, and ensure that the benefits of AI development contribute to regional prosperity.

AI as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation

Advancing economic transformation through AI is a shared goal among SCO countries. China has actively embraced intelligent transformation by promoting AI innovation, fostering industrial growth, and integrating AI into various sectors.

China’s approach includes establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework and building a mature AI industrial ecosystem. As of April 2025, China had filed over 1.5 million AI patent applications, representing nearly 40% of the global total and ranking first worldwide.

Practical AI Solutions and Innovation

Chinese companies have developed AI large models that are open-source, cost-effective, and efficient. These models provide SCO countries with new options to enhance their AI capabilities.

Experts from SCO nations noted China's strong innovation capacity and its ability to cultivate a large pool of AI professionals. This foundation supports broad applications of AI in commercial and scientific fields.

Leveraging SCO’s Data and Application Potential

As the largest regional organization by population, the SCO holds extensive data resources and diverse real-world application scenarios. Strengthening AI collaboration presents growth opportunities for member states.

China and SCO countries are teaming up to:

• Address critical technological challenges
• Encourage continuous AI innovation
• Expand real-world AI applications
• Unlock the benefits of AI technologies steadily

Examples of AI-Driven Collaboration

Concrete projects highlight the benefits of this cooperation:

• In Samarkand, Uzbekistan, intelligent cleaning robots deployed by a Chinese enterprise maintain photovoltaic solar panels, enhancing efficiency and lifespan.
• In Punjab, Pakistan, a China-Pakistan smart agriculture initiative enables farmers to manage irrigation and fertilization via smartphone apps, increasing precision and productivity.

China’s Four-Point Plan for AI Cooperation

At the forum, China outlined a four-point strategy to strengthen AI collaboration within SCO:

• Enhance policy coordination
• Expand technological cooperation
• Promote application empowerment
• Strengthen AI security governance

China also announced plans to establish an AI application center and invited joint participation, emphasizing openness and multilateral cooperation for shared AI progress.

Global Leadership in AI Cooperation

China advocates for fair and inclusive AI development worldwide. In 2024, the 78th UN General Assembly adopted a China-led resolution to enhance international AI cooperation.

Additionally, China launched the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All and initiated the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building. These initiatives aim to build broad partnerships, ensuring digital transformation benefits reach all countries equitably.

Recent Capacity Building Efforts

The second AI Capacity Building Workshop in Beijing gathered participants from nearly 40 countries and multiple SCO member states.

Through these efforts, China and SCO members are working to deepen exchanges, share AI benefits, and ensure AI technologies support sustainable development for all.